SECAUCUS – Officials from Secaucus gathered at the Office of Emergency Management Sunday morning to discuss preparations for Hurricane Sandy.

“The more we can do ahead, the better off,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli during the meeting. Gonnelli said that the call for any evacuations would be made later if needed as warnings progress. Officials discussed preparations underway and what resources are available should there be power outages and major flooding throughout the town.

Watch the city website for updates.

“Please take this as a serious threat,” said Gonnelli on a televised message that was broadcast to residents on Cable Channel 36 and www.secaucusnj.org. He advised all residents to prepare. The municipality distributed information to residents with a hurricane safety checklist that can be found here: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane

School has been cancelled for Monday. Huber Street Elementary School is being set-up as a shelter where Meadowlands Hospital will have a triage unit with doctors and nurses available for any resident that needs medical attention.

As of 2 p.m. Harmon Cove residents began moving their cars to higher ground including upper levels of parking decks. For other low-lying areas, residents can move their cars to the Clarendon Elementary school parking lot.

Each firehouse has back-up generators. Buses have been situated throughout the town in case residents have to be moved. Light towers have been placed at Harmon Cove, Millridge Road, Huber Street, and 10th Street. The municipality has five emergency boats available.

Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center (MHMC) has five ambulances and three command vehicles stationed throughout the town. MHMC issued the following statement Saturday from Acting President and CEO Lynn McVey regarding the hospitals plans regarding Hurricane Sandy:

“Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center is initiating a comprehensive plan in advance of Hurricane Sandy touching down in our area. The hospital has mobilized all employees into their disaster role and has been working with municipal and county emergency management officials to implement a contingency plan in case of severe weather related issues including flooding. During Hurricane Irene, MHMC was the only Hudson County hospital that had continuous operation. MHMC is planning a mobile medical center on high ground in both Secaucus and West New York, an expanded version to our response during Hurricane Irene. As the storm evolves, MHMC will continue to work toward making the residents in its area safe and have access to quality medical care. We certainly are ready.”

To stay updated, people can listen to emergency broadcasts on the radio as well as the local cable channel 36, or visit the town website www.secaucusnj.org. ;Below is a list of important numbers to call if a Secaucus resident needs assistance during or after the storm:

-Office of Emergency Management: (201) 864-1061

-Non-emergency Police: (201) 330-2060

-Dial 911 from a landline in the case of an emergency --Adriana Rambay Fernandez